Our Priorities

Our needs are clear. Recruit the best students. And once they get here, provide them with the special programs that make the Business Honors Program so unique.

Woody Hunt BHP Gift Challenge

“I was one of the early participants in the program and have always connected my success going forward with that educational experience. I think it is appropriate, particularly given changes to funding for higher education, to ask alumni who have reaped the rewards of going through such a high-quality program and have the capacity to give to help.” – Woody Hunt

The program has until 2017 to raise $2 million to receive the full $1 million pledged by Mr. Hunt. The challenge is structured as a 2 to 1 match: for every $2 you give to BHP, Mr. Hunt will give $1 to the program. Only gift of $1,000 or more will be matched, and our main goal for the challenge is to generate the $2 million through new endowments for the BHP.

Most of Mr. Hunt’s gift ($750,000) will be directed to the Woody Hunt Endowed Excellence Fund for the Business Honors Program. These funds will provide vital funding for BHP faculty, students and programming. A portion of the gift ($250,000) will also be designated to support scholarships for students from the Del Norte region, which encompasses El Paso, Las Cruces, and Juarez.

An individual named endowed excellence fund starts at $50,000. Income from these endowments annually supports improvement and expansion of recruiting programs; costs of enrichment programs that enhance the BHP experience and prepare students for leadership roles in their communities and industries; student travel to case competitions and conferences; student research; and study abroad opportunities.

Giving Opportunities

Make a gift of $1,000 or more to the BHP Endowed Excellence Fund*

*Please note in the special information box that your gift is for the Hunt Challenge.

Join your graduating class to support the Woody Hunt BHP Gift Challenge through a Class Endowment

Individual Endowed Excellence Fund

Starting at $50,000 and can be paid over multiple years.

Merit-based Scholarships

The BHP has to compete with many top schools to recruit the best and the brightest. This can be a challenge due to the lack of scholarships the Business Honors Program is able to offer. We cannot be the best business program without the best students, and we cannot recruit the best students without competitive financial incentives.

The Forty Acres Scholars Program is a new scholarship created by the Texas Exes to recruit and recognize exceptional students, enriching their lives and nurturing their development as future leaders at The University of Texas at Austin. The Forty Acres Scholars Program, the first merit-based, full-ride scholarship to be offered at UT Austin, will give the University a competitive advantage in attracting the nation's most talented students. In addition to the Forty Acres Scholars Program the McCombs School has made it a top priority to raise funds for merit-based scholarships and has built a tiered McCombs Scholars program.

Giving Opportunities

A gift of $500,000 will support a Forty Acres Scholarship. Funding at this level provides for tuition and fees, housing and food, living stipend, books, summer enrichment activities, as well as study abroad and internships tailored to the student.

A gift of $250,000 will support a McCombs Presidential Scholarship. Funding at this level provides for full tuition and fees for four years, as well as additional enrichment activities such as global experience, leadership development conference, or case competition participation.

A gift of $125,000 will support a McCombs Dean's Scholarship. Funding at this level will provide half tuition and fees for four years.

If you are interested in either of these giving opportunities, please fill out the form below so we can contact you with more information.